Elizabeth Rominger was born on this day in 1907, in Winston-Salem, to Charles and Sallie Rominger. She graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School, and attended Salem College.
The above photo was taken when Elizabeth “Lib” was a senior at R. J. Reynolds High School, graduating in 1925.
Elizabeth married John Wilson Cuningham in 1930.
Elizabeth’s father, Charles Rominger, was one of three men who founded Rominger Furniture in 1900 as a partnership. It was originally known as Rominger & Crim, then as Rominger & Blackburn, and in 1910 it was solely owned by Mr. Rominger.
Elizabeth was an only child, and her father taught her about the furniture business and she spent time in the store. When her father died in 1949, Elizabeth was elected chairman of the board. Her husband, J. Wilson Cuningham, had become president of the store in 1946. They operated the store together, as chief officers, for more than 40 years. During the early years of the company, the store was located in the 400 block of North Liberty Street.
Elizabeth worked in the store during busy business times and participated in buying trips for new merchandise. Her chief interest was working as an interior decorator. She decorated several private homes, plus church-related organizations and a sorority house.
She worked with several agencies that helped the elderly, prisoners, alcoholics, mentally and physically handicapped children and victims of drug abuse. She and her husband organized the first Mental Health Ball in 1965, to raise money for the Mental Health Association.
She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Elizabeth passed away in 1986.
The furniture company is in business today as Rominger Southern Furniture, located at 1201 North Liberty Street. The daughter of Elizabeth and Wilson Cuningham, Sally Bet Cuningham Nevius, is president of the company, according to the company’s website.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
